Quick-release ball-and-socket joint camera mount

ABSTRACT

A camera mounting system has an upper mount component, a lower mount component, and a base mount component. The upper mount component secures the camera and has a ball protrusion that reciprocally couples with a socket of the lower mount component. The upper mount component can rotate 360 degrees relative to the lower mount, and can pivot 90 degrees or more relative to the lower mount component. The lower mount component couples with the base mount component in a plurality of orientations. This camera mounting system allows for a large range of motion for the camera relative to the mounting system.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This disclosure relates to a camera mounting system, and morespecifically, to a ball-and-socket joint camera mounting system.

Description of the Related Art

Digital cameras are increasingly used in outdoors and sportsenvironments. In order to secure cameras to sports equipment (such assports boards, helmets, vehicles, and the like), cameras can be coupledto mounts that are mounted on the sports equipment. Conventionalmounting systems can be limited in the directions and orientations inwhich a camera can be configured, limiting the utility and flexibilityof the camera, and potentially decreasing a user's satisfaction with thecamera and mounting system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which willbe more readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1a illustrates a perspective view of a camera system, according toone embodiment.

FIG. 1b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of the camera system,according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of a camera for use with thecamera system, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera for usewith the camera system, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate exploded views of a camera mount with aball-and-socket joint, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 4a through 4e illustrate assembled views of a camera mount with aball-and-socket joint, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a camera mount with a ball-and-socket joint and amount base, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 6a through 6c illustrate views of a camera mount base, accordingto one embodiment.

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate views of an adapter for a camera mount with aball-and-socket joint, according to one embodiment.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate views of an adapter for a camera mount with aball-and-socket joint, according to another embodiment.

FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate views of an extension arm for a camera mountwith a ball-and-socket joint, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The figures and the following description relate to preferredembodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that fromthe following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures andmethods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viablealternatives that may be employed without departing from the principlesof what is claimed.

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples ofwhich are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted thatwherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used inthe figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figuresdepict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes ofillustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following description that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles described herein.

Example Camera System Configuration

A camera system can include a camera and a camera housing structured toat least partially enclose the camera. The camera can include a camerabody having a camera lens structured on a front surface of the camerabody, various indicators on the front of the surface of the camera body(such as LEDs, displays, and the like), various input mechanisms (suchas buttons, switches, and touch-screen mechanisms), and electronics(e.g., imaging electronics, power electronics, etc.) internal to thecamera body for capturing images via the camera lens and/or performingother functions. The camera housing can include a lens window structuredon the front surface of the camera housing and configured tosubstantially align with the camera lens, and one or more indicatorwindows structured on the front surface of the camera housing andconfigured to substantially align with the camera indicators.

FIGS. 1a and 1b illustrate various views of a camera system according toone example embodiment. The camera system includes, among othercomponents, a camera housing 100. In one embodiment, a first housingportion 101 includes a front face with four sides (i.e., a top side,bottom side, left side, and right side) structured to form a cavity thatreceives a camera (e.g. a still camera or video camera), and a secondhousing portion 102 structured to couple to the first housing portion101 and securely enclose a camera within the camera housing 100. Thefirst housing portion 101 and second housing portion 102 can bepivotally coupled via a hinge mechanism (described in greater detail inFIG. 1b ), and can securely couple via a latch mechanism 103. In someembodiments, the camera housing 100 may not include one or more sides orfaces. For instance, the camera housing 100 may not include a front orback face, allowing the front face and rear face of the camera to beexposed when partially enclosed by the top side, bottom side, left side,and right side of the camera housing 100.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 has a small form factor (e.g.,a height of approximately 4 to 6 centimeters, a width of approximately 5to 7 centimeters, and a depth of approximately 1 to 4 centimeters), andis lightweight (e.g., approximately 50 to 150 grams). The camera housing100 can be rigid (or substantially rigid) (e.g., plastic, metal,fiberglass, etc.) or pliable (or substantially pliable) (e.g., leather,vinyl, neoprene, etc.). In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 may beappropriately configured for use in various elements. For example, thecamera housing 100 may comprise a waterproof enclosure that protects acamera from water when used, for example, while surfing or scuba diving.

Portions of the camera housing 100 may include exposed areas to allow auser to manipulate buttons on the camera that are associated with thecamera functionality. Alternatively, such areas may be covered with apliable material to allow the user to manipulate the buttons through thecamera housing 100. For example, in one embodiment the top face of thecamera housing 100 includes an outer shutter button 112 structured sothat a shutter button of the camera is substantially aligned with theouter shutter button 112 when the camera is secured within the camerahousing 100. The shutter button 112 of the camera is operationallycoupled to the outer shutter button 112 so that pressing the outershutter button 112 allows the user to operate the camera shutter button.

In one embodiment, the front face of the camera housing 100 includes alens window 104 structured so that a lens of the camera is substantiallyaligned with the lens windows 104 when the camera is secured within thecamera housing 100. The lens window 104 can be adapted for use with aconventional lens, a wide angle lens, a flat lens, or any otherspecialized camera lens.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes one or more securingstructures 120 for securing the camera housing 100 to one of a varietyof mounting devices such as a clip-style mount. In the embodiment ofFIG. 1a , the camera housing 100 includes a plurality of protrusions124, each including a hole 126 configured to receive a couplingmechanism, for instance, a turnable handscrew to pivotally couple thecamera housing 100 to a mounting device including a plurality ofreciprocal protrusions. In other embodiments, the camera housing 100 canbe secured to a different type of mounting structure, and can be securedto a mounting structure via a different type of coupling mechanism.

In one embodiment, the camera housing 100 includes an indicator window106 structured so that one or more camera indicators are substantiallyaligned with the indicator window 106 when the camera is secured withinthe camera housing 100. The indicator window 106 can be any shape orsize, and can be made of the same material as the remainder of thecamera housing 100, or can be made of any other material, for instance atransparent or translucent material and/or a non-reflective material.

The described housing 100 may also be adapted for a wider range ofdevices of varying shapes, sizes and dimensions besides cameras. Forexample, an expansion module may be attached to housing 100 to addexpanded features to electronic devices such as cell phones, musicplayers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), global positioning system(“GPS”) units, or other portable electronic devices.

FIG. 1b is a rear perspective view of camera housing 100, according toone example embodiment. The second housing portion 102 detachablycouples with the first housing portion 101 opposite the front face ofthe first housing portion 101. The first housing portion 101 and secondhousing portion 102 are collectively structured to enclose a camerawithin the cavity formed when the second housing portion 102 is securelycoupled to the first housing portion 101 in a closed position.

In one embodiment, the second housing portion 102 pivots around a hingemechanism 130, allowing the second housing portion 102 to be either in aclosed position relative to the first housing portion 101 (for instance,when the second housing portion 102 is securely coupled to the firsthousing portion 101 via the latch mechanism 103), or in an open position(when the first housing portion 101 and the second housing portion 102are not coupled via the latch mechanism 103). In the open position, acamera can be removed from or placed into the camera housing 100, and inthe closed position, the camera can be securely enclosed within thecamera housing 100. In one embodiment, the latch mechanism 103 includesa hook-shaped lateral bar configured to securely couple around areciprocal structure of the second housing portion 102. In differentembodiments, the latch mechanism 103 includes different fasteningstructures for securing the second housing portion 102 to the firsthousing portion 101, for example a button assembly, a buckle assembly, aclip assembly, a hook and loop assembly, a magnet assembly, a ball andcatch assembly, and an adhesive assembly, or any other type of securingmechanism.

In one alternative embodiment, the hinge 130 is instead located on thetop face of the housing 100, and the latch mechanism 103 is located onthe bottom face of the housing 100. Alternatively, the hinge 130 and thelatch mechanism 103 may be located on opposite side faces of the camerahousing 100.

In one embodiment, the housing 100 includes a watertight seal so thatthe housing 100 is waterproof when the second housing portion 102 is inthe closed position. For example, in one embodiment, the second housingportion 102 includes a sealing structure positioned on interior edges ofthe second housing portion 102. The sealing structure provides awatertight seal between the first housing portion 101 and the secondhousing portion when the latch mechanism securely couples the housingportions.

FIG. 2a illustrates a camera 200 for use with the camera systemsdescribed herein, according to one example embodiment. The camera 200 isconfigured to capture images and video, and to store captured images andvideo for subsequent display or playback. The camera 200 is adapted tofit within a camera housing, such as the housing 100 discussed above orany other housing described herein. As illustrated, the camera 200includes a lens 202 configured to receive light incident upon the lensand to direct received light onto an image sensor internal to the lensfor capture by the image sensor. The lens 202 is enclosed by a lens ring204.

The camera 200 can include various indicators, including the LED lights206 and the LED display 208 shown in FIG. 2a . When the camera 200 isenclosed within the housing 100, the LED lights and the LED display 208are configured to substantially align with the indicator window 106 andbe visible through the housing 100. The camera 200 can also includebuttons 210 configured to allow a user of the camera to interact withthe camera, to turn the camera on, to initiate the capture of video orimages, and to otherwise configure the operating mode of the camera. Thecamera 200 can also include one or more microphones 212 configured toreceive and record audio signals in conjunction with recording video. Insome embodiments, the camera 200 includes one or more sets ofmicrophones, with each set of microphones including a first microphoneand a second, dampened microphone, where the second dampened microphoneis configured to capture audio at approximately 20 dB (or any othersuitable magnitude) less than the first microphone. The side of thecamera 200 includes an I/O interface 214. Though the embodiment of FIG.2a illustrates the I/O interface 214 enclosed by a protective door, theI/O interface can include any type or number of I/O ports or mechanisms,such as USC ports, HDMI ports, memory card slots, and the like.

FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of a rear of a camera 200 for usewith the camera systems described herein, according to one embodiment.The camera 200 includes a display 218 (such as an LCD or LED display) onthe rear surface of the camera 200. The display 218 can be configuredfor use, for example, as an electronic view finder, to preview capturedimages or videos, or to perform any other suitable function. The camera200 also includes an expansion pack interface 220 configured to receivea removable expansion pack, such as an extra battery module, a wirelessmodule, and the like. Removable expansion packs, when coupled to thecamera 200, provide additional functionality to the camera via theexpansion pack interface 220.

Example Camera Mount with Ball-and-Socket Joint

A camera mount can include a ball-and-socket joint that allows for alarger range of motion of one mount portion relative to another whencompared to other camera mounts.

FIGS. 3a and 3b illustrate exploded views of a camera mount with aball-and-socket joint, according to one embodiment. An upper mountcomponent 300 is configured to partially enclose a camera 200. In someembodiments, the upper mount component has four sides: a top side, abottom side, a right side, and a left side. In other embodiments, theupper mount component 300 has six sides and fully encloses the camera200 (for example, similarly to the camera mount of FIGS. 1a and 1b ).

The upper mount component 300 has a bottom surface 326 from which aprotrusion 322 extends. The protrusion 322 includes a ball 320, and issecurely or removably coupled to the bottom surface 326 of the uppermount component 300, for instance with a screw 324 or other securingmechanism. In the embodiments of FIGS. 3a and 3b , the protrusion 322extends downward and backward relative to the bottom surface 326, thoughin other embodiments, the protrusion can extend straight downward or anyother suitable angle relative to the bottom surface. The sides of theupper mount component 300 can include various cutouts that accommodatefeatures, input/output mechanisms, user interaction mechanisms, or otherstructures of the camera 200. For example, these could include openings302 and 310, shutter release button 304, and the like. The upper mountcomponent 300 can also include a latch 308 configured to cause portionsof the upper mount component to flex apart in an open configuration(allowing for the insertion or removal of a camera from the upper mountcomponent), or to cause the portions of the upper mount component tosecurely abut in a closed configuration (allowing for the securing of acamera within the upper mount component).

In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b , the cameramount also includes a lower mount component 400. The lower mountcomponent 400 has a top surface 406, on which a socket 420 ispositioned. The socket 420 includes a top ring surface 422 and an insidesurface 424. In some embodiments, the inside surface 424 issemi-spherical or partially spherical in shape, and can include cut-outsor holes removed from the inside surface as described herein. In someembodiments, the top ring surface 422 of the socket 420 can bepositioned at an angle relative to the top surface 406 of the lowermount component 400, for instance an angle between 0 and 90 degrees. Insome embodiments, the angle of the top ring surface 422 relative to thetop surface 406 of the lower mount component 400 is substantially thesame as or is complementary to the angle of the protrusion 322 relativeto the bottom surface 326 of the upper mount component 300. Forinstance, the top ring surface 422 can be positioned at a 35 degreeangle relative to the surface 406, and the protrusion 322 can beprotrude at a 55 degree angle from the surface 326.

The ball 320 of the upper mount component is configured for insertioninto the socket 420. In some embodiments, the ball 320 can be insertedinto or removed from the socket 420 when the socket is configured in anopen configuration, and can be secured within the socket 420 when thesocket is configured in a closed configuration. In some embodiments, thecoefficient of static friction between the outer surface of the ball 320and the inside surface 424 of the socket 420 is large enough to preventthe movement of the upper mount component 300 relative to the lowermount component 400 when the socket is configured in a closedconfiguration. In some embodiments, the coefficient of static frictionbetween the outer surface of the ball 320 and the inside surface 424 ofthe socket 420 is large enough to prevent the movement of the uppermount component 300 relative to the lower mount component 400 when themount is exposed to wind or other small external forces, but is smallenough to allow for a user to manually rotate upper mount componentrelative to the lower mount component, for instance by exerting force onthe upper mount component. In such embodiments, the moment arm resultingfrom the exertion of force on the upper mount component is great enoughto overcome the friction force between the ball 320 and the insidesurface 424, allowing for manual movement by a user, but not from wind,water, or other forces.

In some embodiments, the upper mount component 300 can rotate 360degrees relative to the lower mount component 400 within the horizontalplane defined by the surface 406. In such embodiments, the surface 326remains substantially parallel to the surface 406. The upper mountcomponent 300 can also pivot within one or more vertical planes relativeto the lower mount component 400. In such embodiments, the angle betweenthe surface 326 and the surface 406 changes. For example, the uppermount component 300 can be pivoted up to 90 degrees or more forwardrelative to the lower mount component 400. In one embodiment, the uppermount component 300 is pivoted forward such that a front face of theupper mount component is substantially parallel with the surface 406.Similarly, the upper mount component 300 can be pivoted up to 60 degreesor more backwards relative to the lower mount component 400. Likewise,the upper mount component 300 can be pivoted up to 60 degrees or more tothe left or to the right relative to the lower mount component 400. Itshould be emphasized that the upper mount component can be both rotatedwithin the horizontal plane defined by the surface 406 and pivotedwithin one or more vertical planes relative to the lower mount component300. For example, the upper mount component 400 can be rotated 180degrees horizontally such that a front face of the upper mount componentfaces towards a rear side of the lower mount component 300, and pivoted90 degrees towards a front side 404 of the lower mount component,causing the front face of the upper mount component to face upwards, ina direction substantially perpendicular to the surface 406.

The ability of the upper mount component 300 to rotate and pivotrelative to the lower mount component 400 beneficially allows a camerasecured within the upper mount component to capture images and videosfrom a wide variety of perspectives. For instance, a camera within theupper mount component 300 can be adjusted to capture image and video inany combination of a 360 degree horizontal rotation and a 90 degree ormore pivot towards a front side 404 of the lower mount component 400, a60 degree or more pivot towards a rear of the lower mount component, a60 degree or more pivot towards a left side 402 b of the lower mountcomponent, or a 60 degree or more pivot towards a right side 402 a ofthe lower mount component. It should be noted that as used herein, the“front” or “front side” of the lower mount component 400 refers to theside of the lower mount component towards which the top ring surface 422is angled, and the “rear” or “rear side” of the lower mount componentrefers to the side of the lower mount component away from which the topring surface is angled.

In various embodiments, the inside surface 424 includes a hole 426 atthe bottom of the inside surface to accommodate the curvature of theball 320 when the ball 320 is inserted within the socket 420,beneficially allowing the upper mount component 300 to rotate and pivotwithin the socket 420 without requiring a deeper socket.

The socket 420 can include a split 430, which extends from the top ringsurface 422 down through a portion of the inside surface 424 (forinstance, through 40% or more of the inside surface 424). On either sideof the split 430 and extending outward from the top ring surface 422 arescrewhole protrusions 432 a and 432 b. The screwhole protrusions 432align such that a screw 434 with a handle 436 can be inserted throughthe screwhole protrusions. When the handle 436 is rotated in atightening direction, the screw 434 tightens and causes the screwholeprotrusions 432 a and 432 b to flexibly compress towards each other,lessening the width of the split 430. This, in turn, decreases thesurface area of the inner surface 424 of the socket 420. When the ball320 is inserted into the socket 420, the decreased surface area of theinner surface 424 increases the radially inward normal force applied bythe inner surface 424 on the ball 320, increasing the friction forceexerted on the ball, and securing the ball within the socket. Such aconfiguration is referred to herein as the “closed configuration”. Asdescribed above, in the closed configuration, the upper mount component300 cannot rotate or pivot relative to the lower mount component 400without manual force exerted upon the upper mount component by a user.FIGS. 4a-e illustrate assembled views of the mount with theball-and-socket joint as described herein. It should be noted that thesocket 420 encompasses 50% or more of the surface of the ball 320 whenthe ball is secured within the socket. In the closed configuration, asthe width of the split 430 is decreased, the circumference of the topring surface 422 can be decreased to less than the circumference of theball 320. As the ball is at least 50% encompassed by the socket 420,such a configuration prevents the ball 320 from being removed from thesocket 420.

When the handle 436 is rotated in a loosening direction, the screw 434loosens, causing the screwhole protrusions to separate, and increasingthe width of the split 430. This, in turn, increases the surface area ofthe inner surface 424 of the socket 420, decreasing the friction forceexerted upon the ball 320 by the inner surface, allowing the upper mountcomponent 300 to be rotated or pivoted relative to the lower mountcomponent 400 more easily. Such a configuration is referred to herein asthe “open configuration”. In the open configuration, as the width of thesplit 430 is increased, the circumference of the top ring surface 422can be increased to greater than the circumference of the ball 320,allowing for the insertion of the ball into or removal of the ball fromthe socket 420.

The lower mount component 400 couples to a base mount component 500, asshown in FIG. 5. A bottom side of the lower mount component 400 caninclude ledges 412 a and 412 b protruding inward from a bottom of thesides 402 of the lower mount component, creating a space between a topside of the ledges 412 and a bottom surface 413 of the lower mountcomponent. The base mount component 500 can be inserted into the spacebetween the ledges 412 and the bottom surface 413. The bottom surface413 includes lips 414 a and 414 b protruding downward from the bottomsurface. The lips 414 can be triangular in shape such that a first faceprotrudes diagonally downward from the bottom surface 413 and facingoutward from the lower mount component 400, and such that a second faceprotrudes perpendicularly downward from the bottom surface. As describedbelow, the lips 414 are configured to catch on and secure the base mountcomponent 500.

The top surface 406 of the lower mount component 400 includes a tab 408with a lip 418 configured to exert downward force on the base mountcomponent 500 in a released configuration when the base mount componentis inserted into the lower mount component, causing the base mountcomponent to exert reciprocal force on a top surface of the ledges 412.The lip 418 is configured to catch and abut a reciprocal ledge on a topsurface of the base mount component 500 when the tab 408 is in thereleased configuration, securing the base mount component to the lowermount component 400. The tab 408 can be lifted by a user in a liftedconfiguration such that the lip 418 does not exert downward force on thebase mount component 500, allowing for the removal of the base mountcomponent from the lower mount component 400.

The base mount component 500 is illustrated from various perspectives inFIGS. 6a-c . The base mount component 500 has a top surface 510 and abottom surface 520. The top surface 510 has a ridge 512 around itsperimeter, extending perpendicularly upward from the top surface anddiagonally upward from the outside perimeter of the ridge. When the basemount component 500 is completely inserted into the lower mountcomponent 400, the ridge 512 catches and abuts the lip 418, securing thebase mount component within the lower mount component. Similarly, thelips 414 a and 414 b of the lower mount component 400 exert a downwardforce onto the ridge 512 of the base mount component 500 when the basemount component is inserted into the lower mount component, furthersecuring the base mount component within the lower mount component. Thebottom surface 520 of the base mount component 500 protrudes downwardand outward from the ledge 522. The ledge 522 can abut the top sides ofthe ledges 412 when the base mount component is inserted into the lowermount component 400.

The bottom surface 520 can be coupled to a surface to secure the basemount component in place. For instance, the bottom surface can becoupled to a surface adhesively, mechanically, with suction, with anattachment device (such as a screw), or using any other suitablemechanism or means. In some embodiments, the bottom surface 520 can beremovably or temporarily coupled to a surface, allowing a user to removethe base mount component 500 from a surface and to re-couple the basemount component to another surface. The base mount component 500 cancouple to any suitable surface, such as a sports board, a wall, a ledge,a vehicle, a user, and the like.

The base mount component 500 is substantially square in shape, such thatbase mount component is symmetric across the width and height of thebase mount component. Such a configuration beneficially allows for theinsertion of the base mount component 500 into the lower mount component400 in any of four directions, allowing a user to position the lowermount component such that the lower mount component is facing any of thefour directions. It should be noted that although reference is madeherein to the insertion and removal of the base mount component 500into/from the lower mount component 400, generally the base mountcomponent will be secured to a surface, and the lower mount componentwill be inserted over/removed from the base mount component. When theupper mount component is securely coupled to the lower mount component400, and the coupled mount components are secured onto the base mountcomponent, a user can capture images and video with a camera securedwithin the upper mount component, at any of a number of angles andorientations as described herein. When the user wishes the remove thecoupled mount components from the base mount component 500, the user cansimply lift upwards on the tab 408 and slide the coupled mountcomponents off of the base mount component.

Backwards Compatibility

To make the ball-and-socket joint system compatible with previous cameramounting systems (such as the mounting systems illustrated in FIGS. 1aand 1b ), adapters 700 and 800 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 have been created.Both adapters 700 and 800 couple to the upper mount 300 in the waydescribed above but include an alternative mechanism for coupling with abase mount that is different from base mount 500. Adapter 700 isconfigured to connect, via the groove 710 to a planar base mount thatcan accommodate the prongs 712 a and 712 b. Adapter 800 is configured tocouple with a base mount that comprises a plurality of protrusions 810 aand 810 b with holes 812 a and 812 b that align such that a pin can beinserted through the holes in both the base mount and the adapter 800.

Extension Arm Example

FIG. 9 illustrates an extension arm 900 that can be used to furtherextend the range of the camera mount system described herein. Theextension arm 900 includes a ball protrusion 320 that couples to thelower mount component 400 as described above with regards to the ball320 of FIGS. 3-5, and includes a modified socket 950 that couples to theupper mount component 300. The modified socket 950 is configured tosecurely enclose around a circumference of the ball 320, as well as aportion on either side of the enclosed circumference of the ball 320.The modified socket 950 includes a split 960. On either side of thesplit 960 are screwhole protrusions 955 a and 955 b that align such thata screw can be inserted through the screwhole protrusions. The screw canthen be tightened to flexibly compress the screwhole protrusions 955 aand 955 b towards each other and lessen the width of the split 960,decreasing the circumference of the inner surface of the modified socket950 and increasing the radially inward normal force exerted on the ball320 by the modified socket 950, securing the ball 320 within themodified socket 950. In one embodiment, a socket ring 960 including asemi-spherical profile is included within the modified socket 950 inorder to better match the contours of the ball 320. The socket ring 960can also include a split 965 that decreases in width when a screw isinserted and tightened, causing the screwhole protrusions 955 a and 955b flexibly compress towards each other. In another embodiment, the innersurface of the modified socket 950 includes a semi-spherical profile tomatch the contours of the ball 320.

Additional Configuration Considerations

Throughout this specification, some embodiments have used the expression“coupled” along with its derivatives. The term “coupled” as used hereinis not necessarily limited to two or more elements being in directphysical or electrical contact. Rather, the term “coupled” may alsoencompass two or more elements are not in direct contact with eachother, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other, or arestructured to provide a thermal conduction path between the elements.

Likewise, as used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,”“includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof,are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elementsand components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the invention. Thisdescription should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Finally, as used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiment is includedin at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in oneembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciatestill additional alternative structural and functional designs for acamera mount as disclosed from the principles herein. Thus, whileparticular embodiments and applications have been illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are notlimited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein.Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation anddetails of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mounting system for attaching a camera toa surface, comprising: an upper mount component structured to at leastpartially enclose a camera, the upper mount component having a bottomsurface including a protrusion extending from the bottom surface at afixed, non-perpendicular angle relative to the bottom surface, theprotrusion comprising a ball component; a lower mount component having atop surface and a bottom surface, the top surface comprising areciprocal socket component configured to rotationally couple with theball component of the upper mount component, the socket component tiltedrelative to the top surface and having a split within an inside surfaceof the socket component from a top side of the socket component, thesocket component comprising a screw hole protrusion on an outer surfaceof the socket component on either side of the split, the screw holeprotrusions configured to align and receive a screw such that when ascrew is inserted into the screw hole protrusions, portions of thesocket component on either side of the split flexibly compress togethersuch that the ball component is secured within the socket component, thebottom surface comprising a first coupling mechanism; and a base mountcomponent comprising a second coupling mechanism configured toreleaseably couple to the first coupling mechanism.
 2. The mountingsystem of claim 1, wherein the split in the socket component of thelower mount component extends no more than halfway down a side of thesocket component.
 3. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the socketcomponent of the lower mount component covers more than 50% of thesurface area of the ball component of the upper mount component.
 4. Themounting system of claim 1, wherein the base component is symmetricalacross two axes and can couple with the lower mount component in aplurality of orientations.
 5. The mounting system of claim 4, whereinthe base component can couple with the lower mount component in fourorientations.
 6. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the basecomponent is configured to be secured to a surface with adhesive.
 7. Amounting system for attaching a camera to a surface, comprising: anupper mount component structured to at least partially enclose a camera,the upper mount component having a bottom surface including a protrusionextending from the bottom surface at a fixed, non-perpendicular anglerelative to the bottom surface, the protrusion comprising a ballcomponent; a lower mount component having a top surface and a bottomsurface, the top surface comprising a reciprocal socket componentconfigured to rotationally couple with the ball component of the uppermount component, the socket component set at an angle greater than 0degrees and less than 90 degrees relative to the top surface and havinga split within an inside surface of the socket component from a top sideof the socket, the socket component comprising a screw hole protrusionon an outer surface of the socket component on either side of the split,the screw hole protrusions configured to align and receive a screw suchthat when a screw is inserted into the screw hole protrusions, portionsof the socket component on either side of the split flexibly compresstogether such that the ball component is secured within the socketcomponent, the bottom surface comprising a first coupling mechanism; anda base mount component comprising a second coupling mechanism configuredto releaseably couple to the first coupling mechanism.
 8. The mountingsystem of claim 7, wherein the split in the socket component of thelower mount component extends no more than halfway down a side of thesocket component.
 9. The mounting system of claim 7, wherein the socketcomponent of the lower mount component covers more than 50% of thesurface area of the ball component of the upper mount component.
 10. Themounting system of claim 7, wherein the base component is symmetricalacross two axes and can couple with the lower mount component in aplurality of orientations.
 11. The mounting system of claim 10, whereinthe base component can couple with the lower mount component in fourorientations.
 12. The mounting system of claim 7, wherein the basecomponent is configured to be secured to a surface with adhesive.
 13. Amounting system for attaching a camera to a surface, comprising: anupper mount component structured to at least partially enclose a camera,the upper mount component having a bottom surface including a protrusionextending from the bottom surface at a fixed, non-perpendicular anglerelative to the bottom surface, the protrusion comprising a ballcomponent; and a lower mount component having a top surface, the topsurface comprising a reciprocal socket component configured torotationally couple with the ball component of the upper mountcomponent, the socket component tilted relative to the top surface, thelower mount component configured to couple to the surface.
 14. Themounting system of claim 13, wherein the socket component comprises asplit within an inside surface of the socket component from a top sideof the socket.
 15. The mounting system of claim 14, wherein the split inthe socket component extends no more than halfway down a side of thesocket component.
 16. The mounting system of claim 13, wherein thesocket component of the lower mount component covers more than 50% ofthe surface area of the ball component of the upper mount component.